THERE was never going to be an admission of mea culpa from Carlo Monti last night as he reflected on his successful return to former club Pollok last Saturday…wearing the colours of Kilwinning Rangers.

The one-time Newlandsfield fans' favourite didn’t get his name on the scoresheet, however he was a constant thorn in the flesh of his erstwhile team-mates (he worked his socks off for us was manager Chris Strain’s take on the striker’s display) in helping the relegation threatened Buffs run out 3-2 winners.

One might have thought it a physical mismatch to play Monti right up through the middle against towering centre-back pair Paul Gallagher and Chris Walker, but the 26-year-old’s close control, guile and no little pluck more than justified his selection and it says everything that he came off the pitch satisfied with his own performance.

The former Celtic, Morton and Dundee signing said: “Saturday was a marvellous result for me personally but one of even greater significance for Kilwinning Rangers and I thought every single player did their part to earn three precious points.

“A lot of credit is due to the gaffer who had us working all the previous week on playing with a tempo and pressing Pollok high up the pitch and everyone who took in the game would agree his game plan worked a treat.

“And as long as we keep our feet firmly on the ground then I see no reason why we cannot take a lot of belief and momentum from Saturday’s performance going into our closing six league matches.”

The Drumchapel-based ace was being tagged as a 'man with a point to prove' on his return to former Lok pastures, however he totally refuted the notion in saying: “Only people with very short memories would think I was going to Newlandsfield on Saturday with a secret agenda in mind.

“I loved my time at the club and can look back on so many good times shared with supporters and the hard working people behind the scenes so it was enjoyable to be making my way into the pavilion and seeing so many familiar faces.

“I might still have been a Pollok player but for feeling I wasn’t getting a fair crack of the whip earlier this season and though feeling sore at the time at things being said about me that were undeserved, I hold no grudges and have moved on to another top club in Kilwinning Rangers where I’m feeling settled and getting sharper with every game I play.

“The manager believes in me and there’s a great dressing room spirit among an exceptionally tight group of players that from 1 to 18 who are fully supportive of each other whether they are playing or not.

“Chris Strain said when it came to signing talks with me that he was wanting to lay the foundations of a team capable of challenging for Junior football’s top prizes and his enthusiasm is infectious so it’s no real surprise that every player is buying into what he wants us to do at training and games.”

Carlo had nothing but praise for the impact made by his two former Pollok team-mates at Abbey Park, midfielder Findlay Frye and veteran defender Stevie Swift.

He insisted: “The Fin was his usual combative self against Pollok and I knew he was going to play well when I saw him going about the pitch and shouting at himself in looking to get psyched up before the kick-off.

“It’s great having someone like him as a team-mate and even more so Swifty whose great experience and defensive know how has worked wonders for the guys playing at the back and their confidence is sky high from knowing he is there as cover behind them.

“Probably more than anyone else, he has been the biggest reason for Kilwinning putting together a decent run which has seen us lose only once (2-0 to Auchinleck Talbot in the Scottish Junior Cup) in our last six games.

“We’ve another massive match coming up against Hurlford United this week but on current form we have no need to be running scared of any team.”

Kilwinning team boss Strain admitted: “Carlo was outstanding against his old side and deserved a goal for his efforts but maybe he has kept one or two in his locker for facing a very strong Hurlford side.

“It’s another huge ask for the guys and it doesn’t help our cause that Swifty and Mikey Morris are rated doubtful at best while I’d have to rate Tommy Maitland as a definite non-starter after being forced to limp off against Pollok with damaged ankle ligaments.

“There’s better news on big Isaac Kerr who has recovered from his hamstring strain and is available for selection while Liam McGuinness and Darren Moffat who both missed out at Newlandsfield are back fit for the fray again.”

Meanwhile, word on the transfer front reckons Clydebank winger Mark Burbridge is poised to disappoint suitors Pollok by signing for newly-crowned Lowland League champions East Kilbride for whom ex-Petershill midfielder Paul Woods netted a brace of goals in their title clinching 6-2 victory over Gala Fairydean last weekend.